Inside our Communities

Black health Matters: Tackling Sickle Cell Disease with SickKids

19 June 2022

BOF and SickKids have partnered to make a difference against a painful condition disproportionally experienced by people of African descent that can also place considerable financial burden on families: Sickle Cell Disease. On World Sickle Cell Day, June 19, 2022, BOF and SickKids announced their shared goal to achieve better outcomes for children living with the most common genetic disease affecting the Black communities. First, we’ll achieve this by helping SickKids make medication easier and safer to take at home via a SickKids-developed technology called a capsule shredder, which will be distributed across Canada. Second, we are establishing together the Sickle Cell Disease Patient Amenities Fund at SickKids, to help over hundreds of patient families with costs not covered by government, now and in the future. Better health outcomes for Black kids. It’s happening here.

Please donate.

BOF Grants Program for Health and Education

1 March 2022

We’ve launched our Grant Program for Education and Health with the help of @TDbank ’s generous funding.  This grant program was developed to help fund Black-led, Black-serving and Black-focused not-for-profits and charities, who are leading impactful initiatives in the key areas of health and education. We are accepting applications for this grant until March 31^st.

Great news for Canada’s Black entrepreneur community.

31 January 2022

In collaboration with Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, BOF launches the Black Entrepreneur Program! This program provides a unique wrap around support, including non-repayable funds for Black Entrepreneurs who have been unable to access traditional funding. A huge thanks to CIBC & CIBC Foundation for kickstarting this program with a generous donation!

The year 2021 in review

7 January 2022

As we enter a new year, we want to thank you for your continued support of our mission to fight anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in Canada. As we welcome 2022, we can’t help but reflect on some of the great accomplishments of 2021.

Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention

17 November 2021

Book your calendar for a Black Opportunity Fund community event on December 9th. You won’t want to miss this national round table discussion on the Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention.

There will be a large focus on gun and gang violence. Our society has a reactive approach to violent crime. It’s time to walk a different path. The public health approach recognizes that violence is the result of a complex causal system, and its approach is one that would look at prevention as opposed to reaction. You won’t want to miss this virtual gathering. The panel line up is outstanding. Thanks to Colliers Canada for your partnership on this event.

Health professionals from Black communities on the impact of the Pandemic

12 October 2021

Episode 29 — The BOF’s Craig Wellington on serving the intersection of Canada’s Black communities

7 October 2021

VIBEtalks – In Conversation: Craig Wellington, Executive Director – Black Opportunity Fund

7 October 2021

TD Bank Canada makes historic $10 million commitment to the Black Opportunity

16 September 2021

We are happy to share that TD has announced a $10 million commitment to Black Opportunity Fund to help fund and empower Black-led businesses and community organizations in Canada. This significant donation is among the largest contributions in Canada to a Black-focused, Black-led and Black-serving organization. This collaboration will go a long way in supporting our mission to combat the impact of anti-Black racism and systematic discrimination in Canada.

BOF wholeheartedly condemns Islamophobia

30 July 2021

Black Opportunity Fund is horrified by the recent rise in violence against Black Muslim women in Alberta and across Canada and wish to express our wholehearted condemnation of Islamophobia, gender-based violence, and anti-Black racism in all their forms.

New CILAR Grant Program Offers Funding For Canadian Black-Led Businesses

23 July 2021

We are proud to announce a new partnership between Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR), Pitch Better and BOF, funded by Facebook, that will offer grants of up to $10,000 to help support and empower Black-led businesses in Canada!

The goal of the CILAR partnership Grant Program is to provide capital resources for as many Black-led businesses as possible, and we are thrilled to be a part of the initiative!

Apply now for the CILAR Grant Program

COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

Black Canadian Perspectives

15 July 2021

The Black Opportunity Fund is proud to present a comprehensive report on vaccine confidence in the Black Canadian community, which would not have been possible without the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council and Innovation Research Group. Based on our findings, 33% of our community shows vaccine hesitancy, largely due to a lack of trust. Find out where that trust breaks down and how it can be rebuilt.

Sustaining Canada’s Anti-Black racism movement: What’s Next?

30 June 2021

On February 17, the Black Opportunity Fund gathered leaders in the community for an essential panel discussion, titled: Sustaining Canada’s Anti-Black racism movement: What’s Next? Panelists discussed how George Floyd’s murder and the social movement it sparked brought to light many struggles that have been a reality in the Black community for generations. Now, our panelists share, we must make sure this newfound consciousness isn’t wasted, and create a better world for the generations to come. Watch the full video to find out how.

Black Opportunity Fund partners with UBC to empower next generation of Black leaders

29 June 2021

Today we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Black Opportunity Fund with a new opportunity in education. Through partnership with The University of British Columbia, we’re proud to announce our first scholarship program to help support Black Canadian students begins today.

Black Opportunity Expresses Sympathy for the community of Cowessess First Nation

25 June 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we express our sympathy and stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters of Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.

BOF Grants Committee Looking For New Members

18 June 2021

The Black Opportunity Fund Grants Committee is a standing committee of the BOF Board of Directors, empowered to develop and administer the granting process for BOF.

The Grants Committee is currently seeking applications from individuals from across all regions of Canada who are interested in serving in the roles below.
The Grants Committee recognizes the diversity of Black Canadians across Canada. Francophones and other applicants from Western Canada, Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Territories or who represent the LGBTQ2+ community are especially encouraged to apply.

Is Education in Canada Serving the Black Community?

14 June 2021

At the Black Opportunity Fund town hall on education, we asked parents and caregivers of Black children to reflect on how Canada’s education system serves them.

Our community told us what barriers they and their children come up against, and how their educational needs can be prioritized through three paths of affecting change.

School, Community, and Home.

Black Opportunity Fund: Statement regarding Kamloops Residential School

1 June 2021

We are saddened by the discovery of more than 200 Indigenous children in Kamloops, BC and we at the Black Opportunity Fund stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, today and every day. Read our full statement on these tragedies here

Editorial: “Moving from Hashtags to Action – holding Canadian organizations accountable”

28 May 2021

At the one-year mark since the murder of George Floyd, Canadian organizations must assess their progress against the promises they made to combat systemic anti-Black racism.

An article written by Craig Wellington, Executive Director, Black Opportunity Fund

We have a long road ahead in addressing racism

26 May 2021

Intentionality is crucial to building a more inclusive society. Hear more on this from BOF co-founder, Colin Lynch, in a recent interview on The Close with BNN Bloomberg.

BOF Co-Founder Hazel Claxton joins Telus Board of Directors

10 May 2021

Congratulations to BOF’s co-founder Hazel Claxton!

TELUS reports operational and financial results for first quarter 2021, and announced that Hazel Claxton will be joining the TELUS Board of Directors.

Opinion: Federal budget a good first step for Black communities

5 May 2021

Craig Wellington, Executive Director of BOF, comments on the recent federal budget and measures intended to help Black communities in National Post.

CTV News Interview with Martine St-Victor, co-founder of BOF

28 April 2021

Martine St-Victor, co-founder of the Black Opportunity Fund, was recently interviewed on CTV News by Mutsumi Takahashi about entrepreneurship in black communities.

Together for a better tomorrow

A unified voice for the Federal Government

31 March 2021

Black Opportunity Fund is pleased to join a coalition of Black Community groups who are calling on the Federal Government for more community investments in the 2021 budget. Black communities are in need of more recovery and greater prosperity.

Read the full letter, that was submitted on March 31st,

and

Add your voice, to support Canadian Coalition for Black Communities

Building Solidarity and Collaboration to Support African, Caribbean and Black Women Entrepreneurs During COVID-19

19 March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified disparities in our socio-economic and political systems that have impacted women entrepreneurs around the world. Black women entrepreneurs are facing an even greater burden—largely due to systemic inequality, discrimination, and lack of access to needed supports.

Charmain Emerson, member of the BOF board of directors, participated in one of the round tables, that were hosted by the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), Casa Foundation, de Sedulous Women Leaders, and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) to discuss the state of Black women entrepreneurship in Canada.

This report sheds light on the state of Black women entrepreneurship, summarizes the discussions held during the virtual roundtables, and shares the recommendations derived during the roundtable discussions.